THE NEW GREAT MIGRATION

The debt crisis has greatly affected Puerto Ricans’ migration patterns. This section discusses the types of people who are migrating, their motivations for leaving, and how they are characterized by others. Seeking employment, they are typically blue-collar workers and people who have not completed a college degree. These migrants’ primary destination is Florida, where, due to the massive influx of the Puerto Rican population, they often face many difficulties finding jobs and housing. The shooting at Pulse represents another crucial dampening of the idea that Puerto Ricans can find better living conditions abroad. One subsection is dedicated to contextualizing this tragedy and explaining how mainstream news invisibilized both the queer community and the large presence of Puerto Ricans among the dead. Regardless, the new wave of migration continues, and it provoked a campaign that attempts to motivate people to stay on the Island and to believe in Puerto Rico’s capacity to move forward. This campaign uses the slogan “Yo no me quito.” However, many authors problematize this message: they explain that it stigmatizes those who decided to form part of the diaspora and disregards their resistance. While so many Puerto Ricans leave, there are tax incentives in place to lure millionaires to the Island. These tax breaks operate under the idea that wealthy financiers will improve the economy. Furthermore, the large quantity of abandoned houses has become attractive for foreigners seeking beach front properties and second homes.